Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1887-03-13
Queer Tales About Feiincs.

n UAIhAbSAl, WAAeNAS W H'fNfNt
a strangely-planned bridge, was visitel
by the devil, who promised that it
should be completed at once on the
condition that the first soul crossing it
he given him. The architect unhesi
tatingly accepted the offer, and when
the structure was finished sent cat
across it. The devil endeavored t.
seize his prey, but the animal fought
against and scratched him until he was
glad TO renounce his purpOfe.
Among the Copts, says writer IN the
Cosmopolitan, the descendants of the
inhabitant of ancient Egypt, the notion
is entertained to this day that twins
until ten or twelve years of age) If they
go to bed hungry roam about in the
guise of cats, their bodies lying mt home
apparently dead. Upon cape extend
ing from the Isle of Cyprus there for
merry stood a monastery whose monks
were solemnly bound to keep cats to de
stroy the snakes infesting the island.
When a certain bell rang the cats came
to their meals, and then set forth again
in pursuit of the reptiles. The monas-
terry and cats were destroyed by the
Turks, who conquered the island to-
ward the close Of the sixteenth century;
tut for many years after the cape was
called Goat Cape"
Facts do not warrant the prevalent
impression that cats have strong local
attachment, and care nothing for per
sons. On the battlefield Of Sebas.
torol, week subsequent to the con-
Gict, cats were found clinging to the
knapsacks of their masters, whom they
refused to leave after their death.
Some felines may be destitute OF
gratitude all are not. A eat, whose
leg had been mangled by trap, was
tenderly nursed by itsmiStress until tine
wound was healed. Thenceforward for
many months each mouse that became
its prey was taken to its mistress, the
cat refusing to eat it until she had ac-
copted the gift and restored it 10 its
donor.
A noted singer of Paris once had
cat assessed of such an ability 10 de
tect n musical imperfection that she
lever sang a piece in public until she
had sung it TO puss, confident that she
would please an audience if her rendi-
ton was satisfactory to the cat.
From n private letter 1 quote g ]
have handsome black cat and my wlfe's
sister has canary. Noticing that Mr.
Thomas appeared to desire a closer ac-
quaintance with the bird than, could be
induced by his love OF music, and fear
ing that he might get at the bird, |
placed an electrical machine on table
under the cage, so arranged that one
touching its top would receive a shock.
Then ! put chair near the table and
retired to watch the result. Presently
Tom slyly advanced to the chair,
jumped into it, and thence to the top of
the machine, Immediately TO spring
into the air with q terrible cry and rush
from the room. After that he gave no
attention to the canary. Indeed, for
weeks nothing could induce him to en-
ter the room where he was so shocked.
1 might cite almost indefinitely incl
dents illustrating the affection, intelli-
gonce, docility, sagacity, and other
praiseworthy attributes OF the cat. !
will only add that the cat has given
birth to many of the best-known and
most sensible proverbs Cats hide
their claws" "Care will kill cat.
"A cat may look at king" In the
dark all cats look gray" when the
cat is away the mice will play"
There are also numerous quaint super
stitions connected with cats : Blood
from a black cats tail will cure its"
"To cure a felon, hold the finger al
fected in a cats ear for quarter OF an
hour each day." "If man swallow
two or three cats hairs they will cause
him TO faint" "if one dreams of
fighting with a cat that scratches him
be will be sick or in affection. L" The
belief that cats "suck the breath of
infants is nothing but a superstition,
the formation of cats mouth being
such that the thing is an utter inposSi-
bility.
To my qualification, felines are re-
garded with greater favor than former
ly, and / trust the day is not far dis
tant when their just deserts will be &C
| corded them; when, in all our cities,
places of refuge will be established
where aged, infrn, and homeless cats
will be kindly cared for. as they are
now in certain American and European
oifiaa